Chelsea vs. Burnley: Premier League Preview

If statistics are anything to go by, then the three points for Chelsea are certain. The last time the English Champions lost an opening day fixture was in 1998 against Coventry.

The West London club would have to lose memory of their dismal Community Shield outing and overcome the Clarets. Fortune seems to be on their side, their opponents Burnley only managed one away win last season and rarely looked much of a threat on the road. In more hopeful stats for the champions, history has it that Morata always scores debut goals.

On the low, Eden Hazard and new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, are both out injured. Pedro is sidelined by an ankle injury and Victor Moses is banned as a result of his red card in the FA Cup final but there could be debuts for Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Morata.

Burnley have made five summer signings, including Jack Cork and Charlie Taylor. Another new recruit, Jon Walters, is likely to replace the departed Andre Gray up front.

Antonio Conte masterminded Chelsea’s run to the Premier League title in his first season in England, but the Italian coach knows that things will be much more difficult in his second year at the helm of the west London club.